The DAISY Consortium is partnering with BISG and IDPF to test reading systems for EPUB 3 compliance and accessibility. Developers receive concrete suggestions on how their products and services can be improved.

Press Release-
Apr 12, 2015

April 12, 2015 (Press Release) -
The Consortium is also a member of the Readium Foundation which promotes and develops technologies accelerating the adoption of EPUB 3 and the Open Web Platform by the global digital publishing industry.

To make testing and evaluating reading systems easier, the DAISY Consortium and Tech For All developed the Accessibility Screening Guidelines and Checklist. The fundamental test book provides the essential accessibility tests and instructions to the person conducting the test. Advanced test books will be provided in the near future.

Well-structured text in a logical reading order is a baseline requirement for accessible EPUB 3 publications. To achieve a high fundamental accessibility score, users should be able to adjust font size and color. Also, text should be readable with a screen reader or self-voicing text-to-speech application, a refreshable braille display or assistive technologies designed for persons with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

Based on current EPUB 3 compliance reports and accessibility evaluations, the following reading applications have achieved higher scores than others:

The DAISY Consortium will promote reading systems that get to 100%. Developers are encouraged to improve their applications and devices.

The DAISY Consortium embraces the principles of worldwide collaboration and transparency that define open standards development. We also contribute expertise in standards working groups that are engaged in Inclusive Publishing and develop guidelines and checklists so that best practices are clear and widely available.

Participants from around the world will gather in Stockholm on May 16th to 18th to exchange experiences and ideas on inclusive digital publishing, e-books, universal design, and accessible information. Take Part brings together users, highly-regarded technologists, librarians, accessibility experts, entrepreneurs and more.